Hajj salvation cut to Kingdom 60,000
Kuwait backs move
Saudi Arabia announced Saturday this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement by the kingdom comes after it ran an incredibly pared-down pilgrimage last year over the virus, but still allowed a small number of the faithful to take part in the annual ceremony.
A statement on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted the kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry making the announcement. It said this year’s Hajj, which will begin in mid-July, will be limited to those ages 18 to 65.
Those taking part must be vaccinated as well, the ministry said.
“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is honored to host pilgrims every year, confirms that this arrangement comes out of its constant concern for the health, safety and security of pilgrims as well as the safety of their countries,” the statement said.
In last year’s Hajj, as few as 1,000 people already residing in Saudi Arabia were selected to take part. Twothirds were foreign residents from among the 160 different nationalities that would have normally been represented at the Hajj. One-third were Saudi security personnel and medical staff.
Each year, up to 2 million Muslims perform the Hajj, a physically demanding and often costly pilgrimage that draws the faithful from around the world. The Hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims to perform once in their lifetime, is seen as a chance to wipe clean past sins and bring about greater humility and unity among Muslims.
Stakes
The kingdom’s Al Saud ruling family stakes its legitimacy in this oil-rich nation on overseeing and protecting the hajj sites. Ensuring the Hajj happens has been a priority for them.
Disease outbreaks have always been a concern surrounding the Hajj. Pilgrims fought off a malaria outbreak in 632, cholera in 1821 killed an estimated 20,000, and another cholera outbreak in 1865 killed 15,000 before spreading worldwide.
More recently, Saudi Arabia faced danger from a different coronavirus, one that causes the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS. The kingdom increased its public health measures during the Hajj in 2012 and 2013, urging the sick and the elderly not to take part.
In recent years, Saudi officials also instituted bans on pilgrims coming from countries affected by the Ebola virus.
Saudi Arabia had closed its borders for months to try and stop the spread of the coronavirus. Since the start of the pandemic, the kingdom has reported over 462,000 cases of the virus with 7,500 deaths. It has administered some 15.4 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, according to the World Health Organization. The kingdom is home to over 30 million people.
Kuwait welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to limit this year’s Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to only 60,000 nationals and expatriates living in the country, due to fears about the spread of coronavirus.
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, applauded Saudi Arabia’s “huge and appreciated efforts” in service of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, amid its commitment to ensure their safety.
The ministry went on to commend Riyadh’s support of scientic and medical endeavours aimed at tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to limit this year’s Hajj season to just 60,000 citizens and expatriates living in the kingdom.
The decision was made to prevent the spread of COVID-19, particularly in light of the emergence of new variants and in accordance with Islamic teachings, GCC’s Secretary General Nayef Al-Hajraf said in a statement on Saturday.
Riyadh’s step aims to protect the health of pilgrims, he added.
On his part, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Al-Othaimeen also applauded the decision, adding that protecting people’s lives and their wellbeing is part of Islam’s main principles.